Artificial Light Nuisance

We can help if there is too much artificial light coming from things like poorly placed security lights, garden lights, floodlights at sports grounds or lighting from industrial sites.

However, this does not include lighting from:

• Airports or harbours

• Bus stations

• Lorry or delivery centres

• Lighthouses

• Prisons

• Coach or taxi companies

• Railway sites

If you are being disturbed by artificial lighting, there are two ways to address it:?

1. Informal Action

Sometimes people do not realise their lights are causing a problem. You could try speaking to your neighbour or the person responsible and ask them to adjust or move the light. They may be willing to help or find a compromise.

If you don’t feel comfortable approaching them, or if you have already tried and it hasn’t worked, you can contact the Council for help.

2. Abatement Notice

The Council can assess the lighting problem. We may ask you to keep a diary of when and how often the light disturbs you, or allow one of our Officers to visit and see the issue from your home.

If we agree that the lighting is causing a problem, we can serve the person responsible with an Abatement Notice, which requires them to reduce or fix the issue.

If they do not follow the notice, they may be taken to court and fined up to £5,000 for private homes or £20,000 for commercial or industrial properties.

Contact Details

Email: ehealth@nmandd.org

Telephone: 0330 137 4024